Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

Print Length:  544 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 28, 2017

Rating: 5 OWLS

WOW! Just WOW WOW WOW!!! Strange the Dreamer is truly a work of art. Laini Taylor is an extraordinary storyteller with outstanding world building skills and an astonishing ability to develop unforgettable characters. I am writing this review a few weeks after I finished reading the book because I was absolutely speechless when I finished and felt that I needed a few weeks to fully digest and process what I had read. I am in awe of the story Laini Taylor wrote and I am still thinking of it. Since finishing it I have gone back and flipped through some of my favorite parts and I have a feeling this will be a re-read for me sometime in the future.

At its core Strange the Dreamer is one of the most beautifully written love stories of all time; it’s a magnificently beautiful love story, but extremely painful at times. Even though the love story is central to the tale it doesn’t take over the story.  Rather it is beautifully woven into the main story that focuses around the city of Weep, a mythical city that was cut off from the rest of the world 200 years ago.

The story has two main characters and Laini Taylor managed to develop both equally well. Lazlo, is an orphan turned junior librarian, an expert in fairytales. His obsession is the city of Weep takes him on an awesome adventure. I liked that Lazlo is described as a shy introvert, didn’t possess any fighting skills, and is a dreamer. His strength is his intellect and his compassion.

Sarai, the Godspawn blue haired girl, is struggling with her conflicting emotions. She has every right to hate all humans, but yet she finds it in herself to understand and forgive what was done to her and her kind. Her compassion and pure heart is what drew me in to fully love her.
The world building was so amazing; Taylor created a wonderfully complex world with meticulous details that allowed me to imagine myself in the world she created. I really can’t say anything else about this without spoiling the book, but just know that it completely goes above all expectations you had entering this beautiful masterpiece. 

All in all Strange the Dreamer was pretty much perfect. The lyrical writing style that I have come to expect when picking up a book by Laini Taylor still manages to blow my mind.  I believe that if someone would give me one of her books without listing her name I would be able to say who wrote the book because I can’t think of anyone else writing quite like her; she is unique in the best way possible. 
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